'Hit and run' politician John Bryson quits

A member of Barack Obama's cabinet, who was found slumped at the wheel of his car after three crashes in California earlier this month, has resigned.

John Bryson, the Commerce Secretary, had been on medical leave since the collisions, which were said to have been caused by a seizure. Police described one of the crashes, which took place on a Saturday afternoon, as a hit-and-run. In a letter to Mr Obama, Mr Bryson said he had "concluded that the seizure I suffered on 9 June could be a distraction from my performance as Secretary".

In the first incident, Mr Bryson's Lexus hit a Buick in the city of San Gabriel. He spoke to three men in the vehicle and drove off, but apparently hit the car again as he did so.

The Buick's occupants followed Mr Bryson's car and called police. A few minutes later, Mr Bryson was involved in another collision with a Honda as his car entered the city of Rosemead. He was found unconscious at the wheel. Police said at the time there were no signs of alcohol or drug use.

AP

UNITED STATES